Pasadena Star-News, CA
May 6 2004
Rushing to defense
Marshall High students, teachers support embattled principal
By Gretchen Hoffman , Staff Writer
PASADENA — At the same time that a group of community members are
circulating petitions calling Marshall Fundamental High School
Principal Steven Miller a bigot who should be removed from his post,
students and teachers are rallying to his support.
Miller is anything but a racist, students and staff say, and he has
reduced school violence and increased student performance. He
motivates teachers and students alike, and is always willing to lend
an ear, they add.
One thing about Miller is certain, however. The road he travels at
Marshall these days is rocky. Some Armenian parents are upset that
middle school dean Kevork Halladjian was told he will not be
returning to his post next year. His lawyer, Dale Gronemeier, is
threatening a lawsuit if Halladjian is not reinstated, and alleges
Miller is a racist who did not do enough to halt violence during a
March 5 fight between Armenians and African Americans at the school.
Halladjian’s lawyer is married to Temetra Gronemeier, whose lawsuit
against the Pasadena Unified School District alleging age
discrimination was thrown out recently. She was seeking the principal
position, which was given to Miller.
Students said Marshall has always had racial conflict but that it has
largely abated under Miller’s guidance. Incidents like the March 5
fights, which resulted in a lockdown on campus and several
expulsions, were more common before Miller instituted peer-mediation
programs, they said.
“He doesn’t sit in his office filling out worksheets, he’s making
sure that each and every race is satisfied,’ said tenth- grader
Clarissa Belombre. “Instead of pointing to the one who’s running the
school, which is what people do, you need to point to the students.
They’re the one who caused it. He took care of the situation as he
could.’
Senior Veronica Gonzalez said she thought the accusations have been
made by people who do not know Miller.
“It seems like these are because of the position he holds,’ Gonzalez
said. “His main priority is us, the students. The thing that I think
is really just out there is that these people that are accusing him
are saying they’re here for the students but … it’s not helping us,
it’s tearing us apart.’
Senior Tina Lee said the petitions are from people who do not have
children at Marshall.
“They don’t even have grandchildren who go here,’ Lee said. “They
have no relation to anyone who has first-hand knowledge. I think they
have no right to say anything.’
Students and teachers said Miller’s detractors are focusing on the
fights as an excuse to get him thrown out of Marshall.
“For people to try to hang his career over one incident that
occurred, I don’t think that’s fair,’ teacher Darlene Davenpot said.
“Right now at Marshall, we do not need another principal.’
Teacher Rebecca Vasquez said discipline has been Marshall’s Achilles’
heel since she started there six years ago.
“I think he’s taken action where it hasn’t been taken before, and
that’s why he’s being targeted,’ Vasquez said. “It’s not productive
for anybody. It’s interesting that people outside our school are
coming in and creating problems.’
Teacher Patricia Kavanagh said she “can’t think of someone who is
less likely to be a racist. He’s been under more pressure than I can
imagine. He’s unknowingly become a part of … antagonism that was
here before he started.’
Many students said they had never seen Miller treat a student
differently because of his or her race and alleged that deans
Gronemeier and Halladjian gave preference to students of their own
race.
“I feel like Mr. Halladjian favors the Armenians, I guess because he
feels Ms. Gronemeier is African American and he needs to stick up for
the Armenian people,’ senior Rita Manoukian said. “Our own deans are
trying to mess up our school. How does that help us?’
Dale Gronemeier said his client and his wife have a “special
sensitivity’ toward students of their own race but operate with
complete fairness.
“What goes with the territory of disciplining students is that you
are dealing with students and parents in a negative and oftentimes
adversarial (role) because people don’t like to be disciplined,’
Gronemeier said. “Mrs. Gronemeier has 20 years’ experience as a
teacher and as an administrator at Marshall. There are legions of
Armenian students and parents who would swear by her fairness.’
Halladjian said he has an open door policy for all students
regardless of race.
“Anybody can come to my office, I’ll definitely make time to see them
right away,’ Halladjian said. “I try my best to deal with all
students at Marshall with the same fairness.’
Other students pointed to honors awarded to Marshall under Miller’s
tenure. The school was ranked in the top 4 percent of the country’s
public high schools in Newsweek’s 2003 Challenge Index. It was also
selected last year as one of three schools in the nation to receive a
College Board Inspiration Award in recognition of its work in
broadening economically disadvantaged students’ access to college.
“When Mr. Miller came, I felt he brought peace,’ senior Alexandria
Parker said. “I think he’s the bridge or the tie that connects
everyone together and by severing that cord, you’re severing Marshall
and all we’ve worked together to build. I think in the end, the truth
will speak for itself.’

FACTBOX-Five Facts on Adzhara region
LONDON, May 6 (Reuters) – Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili
proclaimed the start of his country’s reunification on Thursday after
forcing out the Adzhara region’s rebel leader Aslan Abashidze in his
second “rose revolution” in six months.
Abashidze flew into exile on Wednesday after a night of opposition
rallies and a massive defection of his loyalists.
Here are basic facts about the Adzhara region in Georgia:
Adzhara has a population of 400,000 and is located on the coastline of
the Black Sea in the southwest of Georgia.
The capital, Batumi, is a large oil refining centre which supplies
Georgia and neighbouring Armenia. After Saakashvili was prevented from
entering the region in March, Georgian troops cut rail and road
access, forcing the 200,000 barrel-per-day oil terminal to stop
loading oil.
The region declares itself to be autonomous although its status has
not been resolved since Georgia declared independence in 1991 after
the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Abashidze was backed by Russia which keeps a controversial Soviet-era
military base outside Batumi, seen as leverage against
Georgia. However, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov helped mediate
a peaceful end to the current crisis in Adzhara, and Abashidze flew
into exile with Ivanov on Wednesday night.
Adzhars are ethnic Georgians but unlike most Georgians, who are
predominantly Christian, the Adzhars are Muslims after centuries of
Turkish occupation, which ended in the 19th century.
05/06/04 07:25 ET

A1 Plus | 13:49:46 | 06-05-2004 | Politics |
CLASH IN AKHALQALAQ
On May 4 collision occurred in Azmana village of Akhalqalaq. Adzharian
villagers of Azmana being provoked by Georgian Misha Natenadze residing in
the same village threw stones at the Armenian villagers. Then an attempt was
made to bring about 50 young Adzharians from the neighboring Aspindza
District to involve them in the conflict.
But the Armenian young people having arrived from Armenian villages of
Akhalqalaq frightened the Adzharians from Aspindza who left Akhalqalaq
District.
Adzharians of Azmana hurled stones at Akhalqalaq District policemen who had
arrived at the scene, too. To relax tension Nikoloz Nikolozashvili, Georgian
President’s envoy extraordinary in Samtckhe-Javakhq, arrived in Akhalqalaq.
The local leadership and he managed to alleviate tension and to reconcile
the sides.
The Armenian part made concessions since the accident was just an attempt to
cause an armed conflict between the Armenians and the Adzharians.

A1 Plus | 14:07:07 | 06-05-2004 | Politics |
KOCHARYAN AGAIN BREAKING A LAW
“Breaking the 30th article of the Law on “Military Service”, Robert
Kocharyan nominated Hovik Hoveyan who didn’t serve the Minister of
Culture and Youth”, Ruben Torosyan, Chair of “Supreme Soviet” Deputy
Club, says.
Being guided by NN 159-163 articles of the Armenian Civil Trial Code,
Ruben Torosyan demands to declare nomination of Hoveyan a Minister
invalid as it runs counter to the law and to press on him to fulfill
the requirements of N 30 article of the Law on “Military Service”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A1 Plus | 16:03:08 | 06-05-2004 | Official |
ARMENIA WELCOMING RESTORATION OF GEORGIA’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
Answering the question posed by “ArmenPress” News Agency over the situation
in Georgia, Hamlet Gasparyan, Press Secretary of Armenian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, said:
“We express satisfaction that the tense conflict between Adzharia Autonomy
and the central power of Georgia was settled peacefully and bloodlessly.
This outcome was a significant step in the way for establishing stability
and peace in Georgia, so in the whole Southern Caucasus. We commend the
resolute policy of top leadership of Georgia thanks to which it turned to be
possible to overcome that obstacle”.

Cooperation within NATO in South Caucasus possible – Armenian army chief
Mediamax news agency
6 May 04
YEREVAN
The Armenian side does not share the opinion that the regional
cooperation in the South Caucasus within the framework of NATO
Partnership for Peace programme is doomed to failure.
As Mediamax news agency reported, the head of the General Staff of the
Armenian Armed Forces, Gen-Col Mikael Arutyunyan announced at a
session of the chiefs of the general staffs of the military committee
of the council of the Euro-Atlantic partnership, in Brussels on 5 May.
“Unfortunately, as a result of a position which is not constructive
and official bellicose demagogy of the neighbour state, in an
atmosphere of presumed failure, the regional cooperation in the South
Caucasus within the framework of the Partnership for Peace programme
has been created. Non-admission of the Armenian officers to take part
in planning conference of Cooperative Best Effort exercises in Baku
and also brutal and an unjustified killing of the Armenian officer
during the events within the framework of Partnership for Peace
programme, is complicating, but it does not rule out the possibility
of the regional cooperation,” Mikael Arutyunyan said.
As Mediamax news agency reported, speaking about the brutal killing of
the Armenian officer, committed by the Azerbaijani servicemen in
Budapest, General Arutyunyan announced: “My officer has lost his life
not as a result of implementing a military task or an accident, but
because an entire generation brought up to hate everything connected
with Armenia has grown in the neighbour state”.
The head of the General Staff of the Armenian armed forces expressed
an opinion that “this hate can be overcome only by the joint efforts
and the Euro-Atlantic partnership has all the necessary tools for
that”.

Yerevan hails Georgian leadership’s decisive policy in Ajaria
Mediamax news agency
6 May 04

YEREVAN
Official Yerevan expressed satisfaction today about that
“confrontation between the central authorities of Georgia and the
leadership of the Autonomous Republic of Ajaria settled mainly
peacefully and without bloodshed”.
As Mediamax news agency reported, the spokesman of the Armenian
Foreign Ministry, Gamlet Gasparyan announced in Yerevan today.
“Similar resolution became the main step on the way to establishing
peace and stability in Georgia, consequently in all the South
Caucasus. In this connection we welcome the consistent and decisive
policy of the Georgian authorities, thanks to which they succeeded in
overcoming this difficult barrier,” the official of the Armenian
Foreign Ministry announced.

Azeri Speaker, Turkish minister discuss Karabakh settlement
ANS TV, Baku
6 May 04

[Presenter Leyla Hasanova] Turkish Labour and Social Security Minister
Murat Basesgioglu’s visit to Azerbaijan is under way. Speaker Murtuz
Alasgarov received him today.
[Correspondent, over video of meeting] Azerbaijani-Turkish friendship
has deep roots, Alasgarov said. He drew Basesgioglu’s attention to the
Nagornyy Karabakh problem. We always feel the Ankara government’s
support in the settlement of this problem, Alasgarov said. He is
confident that the Turkish-Armenian border will not be opened until
the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. Alasgarov drew the
Turkish guest’s attention to Armenia’s negligence of resolutions by
international organizations. He accused the international
organizations of double standards with regard to this
conflict. Alasgarov spoke about the importance of sanctions against
Armenia, the aggressor.
Rely on Turkey’s support in the Nagornyy Karabakh issue, Basesgioglu
said. He said that Turkey wished the settlement of this problem within
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and legal norms.

Azeri politician says Ajarian leader’s resignation Georgia’s victory
Turan news agency
6 May 04

BAKU
“This is a great victory of the Georgian people, a great achievement
of Georgian democracy and the triumph of President Mikheil
Saakashvili,” said Azerbaijani political expert Zardust Alizada,
commenting on the latest developments in Ajaria to Turan news
agency. He said that the events showed that Azerbaijan could also
resolve “its problems” if it pursued correct domestic and foreign
policy. In Alizada’s opinion, Saakashvili has public support, he was
elected through democratic polls and is carrying out a real struggle
against corruption, and therefore, he has serious international
support.
There is nothing like that in Azerbaijan. “The president was elected
as a result of falsifications and himself leads the corrupt pyramid,”
Alizada said.
He believes that if Azerbaijan pursues “correct” domestic and foreign
policy, then a senior Russian official will come and take with him
separatists such as [head of the self-styled Nagornyy Karabakh
republic] Arkadiy Gukasyan and [Armenian President] Robert Kocharyan.
Political expert Rasim Musabayov also thinks that the latest events in
Ajaria will “positively” impact the situation in the region. Georgia
has recently turned into a synonym of “anarchy”, the central
government did not control many regions. However, the recent events
demonstrated the ability of the democratic government to tackle
problems that were too tough for the old nomenclature lead by
Shevardnadze.
“If President Saakashvili continues to act decisively and carefully,
taking into consideration the position of the world community, Georgia
will find a solution to the Abkhaz and South Ossetia conflicts,”
Musabayov said.
The Georgian authorities have taken a serious step towards setting up
a unitary country and have proven their ability to tackle serious
problems without using force, Musavat Party leader Isa Qambar said,
commenting on the Ajaria events.
He described [Ajarian leader Aslan] Abashidze’s resignation as “a
serious blow to corruption in the South Caucasus”. Qambar expressed
the hope that further processes in Georgia would develop within the
framework of democracy and without violence.
Justice Party Chairman Ilyas Ismayilov expressed “concern” over the
possible impact of the Georgian events on ethnic Azerbaijanis in this
country. He said he hoped that further processes would also be carried
out without bloodshed. He assessed the events in Ajaria as a struggle
against separatism.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
APRIL 30 – MAY 6, 2004
HIGHLIGHTS:
PRESS FREEDOM PAYS
ARMENIAN MEDIA STILL NOT FREE
DEMONSTRATION AND RALLY TO SUPPORT “A1+”
ENEMIES OF THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
CASE OF ATTACK ON JOURNALISTS ON APRIL 5 SENT TO PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE
BROADCASTING HAS NOT STARTED BUT THE PROBLEMS HAVE
CEC RATIFIED THE ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST DEMANDS TO INSTITUTE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST
CORRESPONDENT OF “HAYOTS ASHKHAR”
DIVERSITY IN LIFE AND IN MEDIA
ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION OF JOURNALISTS
PRESS FREEDOM PAYS
On May 3 in Yerevan “Partnership for Open Society” initiative that unites
around 50 public organizations of Armenia, held a round table meeting on the
World Press Freedom Day.
Ambassador of Germany in Armenia Hans-Wulf Bartels who opened the meeting
congratulated the journalists on the international professional day. He
stressed that the European Union closely follows the situation of freedom of
expression in Armenia.
The Country Manager of World Bank Armenia Office Roger Robinson mentioned as
a positive example of cooperation with the journalistic community the book
“The Right to Tell. Role of Mass Media in Economic Development”, published
by Yerevan Press Club with the assistance of the WB and the Open Society
Institute (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, April 2-8, 2004). In his speech Mr.
Robinson referred to the recently published article of the World Bank
President James Wolfenson “Press Freedom Helps Fight Poverty”. Basing on the
researches showing that the freer the press is, the less corruption there is
in the country, the WB President believes: “As we mark World Press Freedom
Day on May 3, this year’s campaign theme, ‘Press Freedom Pays’, provides an
excellent opportunity to reflect on the catalytic role that an open and free
media can play in economic development and particularly in the fight against
global poverty.”
The effective cooperation of the legislative and the “fourth” estates of the
country is illustrated by the work on the improvement and adoption of the RA
Law “On Mass Communication”, the Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on
Science, Education, Culture and Youth Issues of the RA National Assembly
Hranush Hakobian said.
The representative of the UN Department of Public Information Valeri
Tkatchouk read out the message of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, in
which the United Nations, that proclaimed May 3 the World Press Freedom Day
in 1993, reaffirms its “commitment to the freedom and independence of the
media as an essential requirement for building a better and fairer world”
and states its readiness to do its utmost for the journalists to be able “to
do their vital work in safety and without fear”.
The possibility to perform the professional duty without caution is becoming
all the more important in Armenia due to the frequent and unpunished
displays of violence towards media representatives. The Chairwoman of the
Journalists Union of Armenia Astghik Gevorgian familiarized the participants
of the round table with the statement of the “Partnership for Open Society”
initiative for May 3.
The statement says:
“‘Partnership for Civil Society’ initiative congratulates all the media on
the World Press Freedom Day.
Having analyzed the media situation in Armenia, we state:
1. In 2003 the RA National Assembly passed two laws that directly relate to
the media sphere – “On Freedom of Information” and “On Mass Communication”.
The two documents were adopted as a result of public dialogue and are mainly
compliant with international standards. At the same time it is a source of
much concern that amendments to the RA Law “On Television and Radio”,
criticized by the journalistic community and international organizations,
were shallow and inessential, failed to solve the main problem – ensuring
the independence of the two regulatory bodies, the National Commission on
Television and Radio and the Council of the Public Television and Radio
Company. In the legislation another concern-provoking fact is that the
implementation of the RA Law “On Freedom of Information” is in fact delayed,
as the government to this day has not fulfilled the provision of the law: it
has not defined the procedure for provision of information or its duplicate
(copy) by the state structures and local self-governance bodies, state
institutions and organizations. And, finally, having adopted legislation
containing rather progressive clauses that regulate the media activities,
the authorities must amend other laws to make them correspond to
international standards and the newly passed bills. This calls, in
particular, for the removal of libel and insult provisions from the Criminal
Code passed in 2003 (Articles 135, 136, 318) that endanger the freedom of
expression and can induce media to exercise self-censorship.
2. The consistent refusal to provide license to “A1+” TV company by the
results of the broadcast licensing competitions in 2003 came to reconfirm
that the National Commission on Television and Radio is not guided by the
principles of objectivity and impartiality. Moreover, the National
Commission declined the proposal of non-governmental organizations to
involve independent experts with a right to consultative vote at least in
one of the competitions, although this procedure is provided for by the law
and the presence of experts would have ensured the transparency of the
tender.
3. The Public Television of Armenia remains an addendum to the executive
power and serves as its rostrum. This TV company has adopted the policy of
praising the authorities and relegating the opposition, does not provide
objective and impartial information, diversity of opinion.
4. The press mostly fulfils its function of disseminating diverse
information, however, the newspapers circulations are small, they are mostly
sold out in the capital and the regional centers. The press remains
polarized and entangled in the controversy of authorities and opposition.
5. On April 5 and in the early morning of April 13, 2004 violence was exerte
d on the journalists covering the opposition rallies. If in the former case
those who beat the journalists and broke their photo and video cameras were
people dressed in civilian clothes, on the latter occasion the attackers
were policemen. These offenders have not as yet been found and punished, and
the damages to the media have not been compensated.
6. The reputable international organization “Freedom House” qualified the
Armenian media in 2003 as not free.
We, the representatives of non-governmental organizations of “Partnership
for Open Society” again demand the law enforcement bodies to find and punish
the individuals who violently attacked journalists on April 5 and April 13
as strictly as the law stipulates.
We demand that Armenian authorities ensure the free and unimpeded activity
of media and journalists, remove Articles 135,136 and 318 from the Criminal
Code as being dangerous for the freedom of expression, refraining from their
application till this is accomplished.
We state that we will continue to advocate the improvement of the
media-related legislation, the establishment of real freedom of expression
and truly independent media.”
During his presentation at the round table the President of Yerevan Press
Club Boris Navasardian quoted the address of the UNESCO Director General
Koiichiro Matsuura: “The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day is the
media in conflict and post-conflict zones and in countries in transition. In
such situations, the media’s work to provide independent and trustworthy
information can contribute significantly to processes of reconstruction and
reconciliation.” In this regard the YPC President noted that the Armenian
media, using the freedom that the authorities must guarantee, are to ensure
the free information flow and by this contribute to the establishment of a
dialogue both in the country and on the regional level to arrive at
consensus of the parties.
Among those speaking at the event were the UNDP Resident Representative in
Armenia Lise Grande, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States in
Armenia Vivian Walker, the Executive Director of the OSI Assistance
Foundation-Armenia Larisa Minasian.
At the round table the statement of “Article 19” international organization
was disseminated on the incidents of violence against journalists. “Article
19” in particular called upon the authorities of Armenia “to respect the
international standards in the field of freedom of expression, to conduct an
immediate and full investigation of the reported assaults of journalists and
human rights activists, and to undertake all necessary measures to ensure
the safety of journalists in the future”.
ARMENIAN MEDIA STILL NOT FREE
On April 28 the international human rights organization “Freedom House”
published the annual global survey of media independence in 2003.
“Press freedom suffered a substantial worldwide decline in 2003” is the main
conclusion of the researchers who evaluated the media situation in 193
countries of the world. Legal harassment, political pressure and violence
against journalists combined to worsen conditions in many countries,
resulting in the second consecutive year of global decline in freedom for
news media, “Freedom House” stressed.
The situation with the media was evaluated using the numerical scale from 1
to 100 based on the following criteria: free (1-30 points), partly free
(31-60), not free (61-100) – the lower the score the higher the degree of
freedom. The freedom of press was evaluated along three dimensions:
legislation influencing media; political pressure, control and violence
towards media; economic pressure and control over media. The sum of the
scores along the three dimensions yielded the aggregate rating of the
condition of media in a country.
In 2003 the rating of Armenia made 64 points. In other words, the Armenian
media remain in “not free” category where they found themselves in 2002,
having scored 65 points. The insignificant difference in the evaluation of
the press freedom situation in Armenia in 2003 versus 2002 is due to the
somewhat improved legislation.
As to the CIS overall, “other than in Georgia, the situation remained deeply
troubled”. Having scored 54 points, similarly to 2002, the Georgian media
retain the characteristics of partly free ones, while the Moldova was unable
to do it and entered the category of “not free” press (63). The somewhat
improved situation in Azerbaijan (71 points versus 73 in 2002) did not
impact the general picture of the media in this country as they remain not
free. The media of other CIS countries also remain in this category. The
most unfavorable ones are the ratings of Turkmenistan (95), Uzbekistan and
Belarus (84 each).
DEMONSTRATION AND RALLY TO SUPPORT “A1+”
On May 3 in Yerevan a demonstration and rally to support “A1+” TV company
were held. About 150 participants of the action passed from the House of
Press to Charles Aznavour Square. At the meeting on the World Press Freedom
Day the demands of the journalistic community to the authorities of the
country were voiced again: to hold broadcast licensing competitions for the
vacant frequencies and involve the representatives of public organizations
into the process of rating evaluation of the bids.
ENEMIES OF THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
On May 3 the National Press Club (NPC) once again announced the names of
“enemies of press” in 2003. For the third year already the main media-enemy
has been named to be the Armenian President Robert Kocharian. This time the
title was conferred on him in particular for signing the RA Law “On Mass
Communication” and not punishing those who obstructed the professional
activities of journalists during the opposition rallies. Another “press
enemy” was named to be the Chairwoman of the Parliament Committee on
Science, Education, Culture and Youth Issues Hranush Hakobian that assisted
the adoption of the Law “On Mass Communication”, by, as NPC thinks,
concealing the conclusions of the international experts from the deputies
and thus disorienting them.
Notably, another three of the nine candidates were nominated by NPC to this
title because of the same Law “On Mass Communication” – the author of the
draft law himself, the RA Deputy Minister of Justice Ashot Abovian, the
Speaker of the RA National Assembly Artur Baghdasarian, who, as NPC alleges,
held the voting on the draft with violations, and the President of Yerevan
Press Club Boris Navasardian, who assisted the adoption of the law.
Meanwhile, Yerevan Press Club continues to think that the RA Law “On Mass
Communication”, passed in December 2003, is generally progressive and
complies with international standards. This opinion as well as the reasons
for the unhealthy climate around the draft were given a detailed analysis
and argumentation in the article of YPC President Boris Navasardian “Going
towards Liberal Legislation through the Self-Elimination War”, published in
the YPC Weekly Newsletter (see the issue of December 12-18, 2003).
As to the attitude of the National Press Club to this law, it is prompted by
the fact that this organization on its behalf had proposed an alternative
draft law on media, evaluated very negatively both by the Government and the
NA, as well as by the media experts, and NPC cannot forgive everyone whose
lawmaking proved to be more effective.
CASE OF ATTACK ON JOURNALISTS ON APRIL 5 SENT TO PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE
On May 5 the press-service of the RA General Prosecutor’s Office reported
that by the order of the General Prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepian the criminal
case on the violent acts against media representatives during the opposition
rally on April 5 is passed to the authority of Yerevan Prosecutor’s Office.
The proceedings were instituted by the RA Police on Article 258 (“Public
Disorder”) of the RA Criminal Code. As it has been reported, on April 5
journalists were assaulted by a group of “strong guys”, when they tried to
shoot them throwing eggs at the rally participants. As a result the media
and their representatives incurred physical, material and moral damage (see
details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, April 2-8, 2004).
BROADCASTING HAS NOT STARTED BUT THE PROBLEMS HAVE
On May 4 the representatives of the traffic police of Kotayk region of
Armenia impeded the work of the shooting crew of “Aravot” TV channel. This
was reported on May 5 by “Aravot” daily. On the eve of an opposition rally
in the capital the TV journalists tried to check whether the complaints of
citizens that the policemen restrict their freedom of movement on the main
routes to Yerevan are true. According to “Aravot” daily, at the moment of
shooting the car with the TV channel staff was stopped by the
representatives of the Nairi Division of traffic police who called their
boss to help. Arriving on site, the head of Nairi Division of traffic police
Avetik Abrahamian, as the newspaper writes, first demanded the journalists
to give him the tape and then made them erase the shots on it.
As it has been reported, “Aravot” TV company (previously “Kentron”) has
changed its owner and name quite recently (see details in YPC Weekly
Newsletter, April 23-29, 2004) and has taken a temporary time out till May
10, to go on air with a new image. In other words, “Aravot” TV has not as
yet started its broadcasts, but the problems with law enforcement bodies
already have.
CEC RATIFIED THE ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE
On April 29 RA Central Election Commission, in accordance with the RA Law
“On Mass Communication”, ratified the Procedure for accrediting journalists
at the RA CEC. The document mainly adheres to the provisions of the Law “On
Mass Communication” as well as the Model Procedure for Accrediting
Journalists at the State Administration Bodies approved by the Government on
March 4 (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, March 19-25, 2004). However, some of the
provisions of the Procedure cause concern that they may become an obstacle
for the activities of journalists. Thus, for example, while according to the
Procedure, the CEC accreditation is sufficient for a journalist to enter any
election commission, Item 8 stipulates restrictions on this: not more than
two journalists and two photographers/2cameramen from each medium. It should
be noted here that the number of district and divisional precincts during
elections in Armenia is usually about a thousand. Besides, Item 17 calls for
coordinating each visit to CEC by an accredited journalist with its
Chairman – unless for CEC events, while the permission of a press-secretary
would have sufficed.
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST DEMANDS TO INSTITUTE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST
CORRESPONDENT OF “HAYOTS ASHKHAR”
On April 28 the Chairman of Helsinki Association of Armenia Mikael Danielian
addressed a letter to the RA General Prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepian demanding
to institute criminal proceedings against the correspondent of “Hayots
Ashkhar” daily Kima Eghiazarian on clauses 2 and 3 of Article 135 of the RA
Criminal Code (“Libel”). The reason for the appeal was the article by Kima
Eghiazarian titled “Mika’s Hullabaloo for the Council of Europe”
(“Hayots Ashkhar”, April 24, 2004) where, in the opinion of the human
rights activist, an “ungrounded conclusion” is made that Mikael Danielian is
“the spy of the Council of Europe in Armenia”.
DIVERSITY IN LIFE AND IN MEDIA
The London-based Media Diversity Institute (MDI) held two more seminars on
the subject of “Covering Diversity: Making the Difference” under the South
Caucasus project of MDI “Minority Empowerment and Media Development” with
the support of European Commission. The first of the seminars was held on
April 27-29 in Stepanakert for Karabagh journalists with the assistance of
Stepanakert Press Club. The event was interactive and was moderated by
Milica Pesic (MDI Director), Adam James (free-lance journalist, specialized
on the problems of people with mental disorders) and Elina Poghosbekian
(Editor of YPC Weekly Newsletter).
The second seminar was held on May 1-2 in Yerevan with the assistance of
Yerevan Press Club, the MDI Armenian partner. This time the event was
moderated, besides Milica Pesic, by Alistair Crington (media consultant,
Deputy Editor of “Cyprus Mail” newspaper) and Tatul Hakobian (observer of
“Azg” daily).
During the two seminars the principles of diverse coverage of various social
groups were discussed, as well as the editorial approach to pieces on this
issue, the degree of media attention to the minorities, the need for the
media to avoid the formation of negative stereotypes in the society.
ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION OF JOURNALISTS
On April 28-29 in Tsaghkadzor a seminar “Key Environmental Issues and Their
Coverage by the Media” was held by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Public
(Aarhus) Environmental Information Center. A lecture course of the leading
scientists of the country on the basics of ecology and environmental issues,
environmental legislation and seismology was presented to the seminar
participants – the representatives of local and national media of Armenia.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
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Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
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